Ditching-machine.



PATENTED JAN. 27, 1903.

J. H. SYLVESTERSEN.

DITGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 17, 1902.

' no MODEL.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1- PATENTED JAN. 27, 1903. J. H. SYLVESTERSEN. DITGHINGMACHINE. APPLIOATIOH FILED APB- 17, 1902.

I I I flflugzys I I 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

. zffiyZvaazersergl az m,

llhllTl-ED dTaTns TnwT Tricia.

JORGENII. SYLVESTERSEN, OF DUNDEE, ILLINOIS.

DlTCi-HNG MACHINE.

SEEGIFIUATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 719,058, dated January27, 1903.

Application filed April 17,1902.

3T0 @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JoReEN H. SYLVESTER- SEN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Dundee, in the county of Kane and State of Illinois,have invented a new and useful Ditching-Machine, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to machines for forming ditches in land, moreparticularly where the ground is wet and adhesive; and the inventionconsists in certain novel features of the construction, as hereinaftershown and described, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings illustrative of the invention, Figure 1 is a plan view,and Fig. 2 is a side elevation. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional detailillustrating the moldboard construction.

The framework is shown at 10, being oblong in shape and preferablyformed of wooden beams, with suitable transverse braces 11 12,preferably of metal, and with the share or cutting member 13 dependingfrom the forward end of the frame, as shown. Leading backward from theshare 13 is the moldboard, consisting of spaced metal bars 14, suitablybent and curved so that when properly supported and connected by thetransverse holding-bars the earth disengaged by the share 13 will becarried backwardly and off to one side and deposited at the side of theditch in the usual manner.

The forward transverse bars 15 will be supported from the frame 10, asshown at 15, while the rearward bars, which support the rising andlaterally-curving bars 14:, will be supported by braces 16, the wholeforming an open slat-like framework, as shown.

Between the longitudinal bars 14: and the transverse holding-bars 15 areinterposed ferrules or separating-thimbles 17, (shown more clearly inFig. 3,) so that the earth in passing over the moldboard engages thelongitudinal bars only and will not come in contact with the transversebars, so that the resistance is reduced to the minimum, which is a veryimportant consideration when working in wet or adhesive soils. The bars14: will be set close enough together to properly sustain the soilpassing over them, while at the same time as far apart as consistentwith the work required Serial No. 108,388. (No model.)

of them to reduce the friction toa minimum. The distance between thebars will be Sllfllcient to support the earth and prevent it from comingin contact with the transverse bars 15 and be retarded thereby. This isa very important feature of theinventionand adds materially to theefliciency of the device.

The inner ends of the rivets or bolts 14?, by which the bars 14 and 15and the spacers 17 are held, will be countersunk in the bars let, asshown in Fig. 3, so as to offer no obstruction to the passage of theearth.

Transversely disposed upon the forward end of the framework lOis a shaft18, having coupling means 18 18 on its ends outside the frame, whereby ayoke-frame 19, carrying the guide-wheels 20 20, will be supported, asshown.

At the rear of the machine are two handles 21 21, supported from theframe 10 and crossbrace 12 and connected by a brace-bar 22, the latterhaving teeth or notches 22, and a drum-shaft 23, as shown.

The shaft 23 is provided with an operatingwheel 24 and a ratchet 25, thelatter engaged by a pawl 26 on the handle21, so that the shaft Willbeheld from running backward.

A cable 27 is attached by one end to the shaft 23 and carried forwardthrough a pulley 27 and thence to the yoke-frame 19, as shown. By thismeans it will be readily understood that by revolving the shaft 23 thebearing-wheels 20 20 may be elevated and depressed to regulate the depthof the cut of the machine and also to elevate the forward end andsupport the share 13 entirely clear of the ground when transporting themachine.

Attached to the forward member of the frame 10 is a clevis 28 of anyapproved form, to which the draft cable or chain is attached. The clevisis pivoted centrally to the frame 10, as at 28, and extends rearwardlyof the forward beam and is connected to the forward end of the lever 29,the latter pivoted at 30 to the transverse bar 11 and engaging thenotches 22 in the brace 22, as shown. By

this means it will be readily understood that by adjusting the lever 29upon the bar 22 the clevis will be moved upon its pivot 28, and therebyadjust the draft laterally and guide the machine to the right or left toa The bar 11 is provided with limited extent.

a series of perforations 11 for the pivot-bolt 30, and the front memberof the frame is likewise provided with a series of perforations 31, sothat the draft may be adjusted laterally to any desired extent. By thismeans the course of the machine may be controlled and the side draftregulated to any desired extent.

In some forms of the machine the moldboard may be carried directlybackward and the earth delivered upon supplemental delivery mechanism orthe moldboard arranged to deliver the earth upon both sides; but thesemodifications would-not affect the spirit of the invention or sacrificeany of its advantages.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a deviceof the character described, a moldboard formed of spaced bars,transverse supports in the rear of said bars and spacing-sleeves betweensaid bars and supports, whereby the earth passing over said moldboard isprevented from engaging said supports, substantially as described.

2. In a device of the character described, a moldboard formed of spacedbars, transverse supports in the rear of said bars, means for connectingsaid bars and supports, and spacing-sleeves upon said connecting meansbetween said bars and supports, substantially as described.

3. In a device of the character described, a

supporting-framework, a share conforming to the ditch to be cut andsuspended from said framework, a moidboard composed of spaced barsleading from said share transverse supporting-strips beneath said barsand spacingsleeves between said bars and strips, whereby the earthpassing over said moldboard is prevented from engaging said strips,substantially as described.

4. In a ditching-machine, a main frame having handle-levers at one side,at its rear end, a share depending from and secured to the frame, nearthe front end thereof, a moldboard extending upwardly and rearwardlyfrom the share and having its rear portion rearwardly deflectedobliquely with reference to the line of draft and extended beyond theside of the frame opposite that to which the handle-levers are affixed,a yoke-frame astride the front portion of the main frame, pivotallyconnected thereto, bearing-Wheels carried by the yoke-frame and disposedto run on the surface on opposite sides of the ditch, and means toadjust and secure said yokeframe, to raise and lower the main frame andshare, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affiXedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JORGEN H. SYLVESTERSEN.

Witnesses:

LYMAN ANDREWs, GEO. GoEBEL.

